World History
7th Grade World History covers the study of Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages. The students will analyze how the political, economic, and cultural development of a particular civilization.
The focus will be on what legacies have been left by ancient civilizations that impact our society. An
example of a key question in this unit is: What are the legacies left, and how do we use them today?
Why are those legacies still important?
Language Arts
The theme of the 7th grade language arts curriculum is “Choices”. Using the SpringBoard curriculum, students will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in middle school, high
school, AP classes, and future college-level work. Students will have many opportunities to refine
and master strategies that will enhance their ability to understand and analyze challenging texts, to
write with clarity and voice, to speak and listen in order to communicate and work effectively with
others, and argue using fact based support.
Students are expected to read in SSR and independently outside of class. They will be expected to
respond to their reading through regular writing and comprehension checks.
Science
Our curriculum introduces students to a new level of rigorous hands-on science. The 7/8 curriculum
is a two-year program that is taught to both grades simultaneously even though the students are separated by grade level. Working extensively in teams, we will explore Properties of Matter, Electrical
Energy and Circuit Design, Organisms, Catastrophic Events, Light, and a unit on Energy, Machines
and Motion. State standards are aligned to each unit and by the end of 8th grade students are prepared to take the Science Measurement of Student Progress from the State of Washington..
Math
The 7th grade math course builds an important foundation for transitioning into an algebra-intensive 8th
grade year. Students will explore the following concepts: proportionality, graphs and functions, solving
problems involving rational numbers and percents, data and statistics, 3-Dimensional geometry, transformations, probability, and solving equations. The 7th grade year is part of a three-year program (6-8) that
allows students to exit middle school solidly prepared for either Algebra I-II (freshman math) or Geometry
(sophomore math).
Each spring we review 6th grade math data to determine math placement for students who are entering the
7th grade. For nearly all students, the most appropriate placement is in 7th grade math. Our 7th grade math
curriculum provides students with a strong pre-algebra experience, allowing them to be successful in the
8th grade algebra class, and putting them on track to take calculus as seniors in high school if they choose.
It is our belief that the skills learned in 7th grade math are critical for long-term success in math for nearly
all students. However, for a few students it is most appropriate to skip the 7th grade curriculum and be
placed directly in 8th grade algebra. Placement in algebra is best for students who can demonstrate a solid
background in the skills that are taught in 7th grade math.
In order to make a recommendation about the best placement for your child, we review their 6th grade
math chapter test scores. If a student received scores of 90% or higher on all 6th grade chapter tests, we
will also look at 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade standardized test scores. Students with exceptionally high
scores may be best served in algebra as 7th graders. Students whose math performance falls within this
range will be given a 7th grade proficiency test. This is an important assessment because it identifies
whether the student has the necessary background to skip this year of math and move directly into algebra.
Students who show mastery in all these areas will be recommended for advancement to algebra.
Physical Education/Health
The PE/Health curriculum is designed to enhance self-confidence and encourage effort while striving to
teach the importance of health and physical fitness. PE classes are 6th, 7th and 8th grades so a three-year
program of activities has been developed. The three-year program introduces a wide variety of physical activities including those recreational in nature, team and individual sports, and demanding fitness tests.
Health components include instruction in human growth and development, heart fitness and healthy life
choices, nutrition, and drugs. The students will be graded daily on a ten point scale. Factors affecting
grades are life skills such, as: effort, attitude, basic skills, cooperation, listening skills, following directions,
attendance, and being prepared for class.
Special Education
All students receiving special education services must have an I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan). A
continuum of services including resource classes and mainstream assistance is available for qualified s
tudents.
One hour of every students’ day is dedicated to an elective course. Course selections include exploratory classes, service assistantship classes or music. Music classes are the only year-long elective
courses and the rest are one trimester. Elective courses are designed to enrich student experience
through a variety of arts, science and computer classes. Students rotate through three exploratory or
service assistantship classes throughout the year. Exploratory classes are subject to staffing availability. Past offerings include subjects such as art, woodworking, computer literacy and keyboarding,
cooking, forensic science and environmental science. Project Lead The Way, our Design and Robotics classes are offered to 7th and 8th graders.
Library Assistant
Library Assistants must have excellent attendance and work habits. They need to be independent
workers and able to work well with other students. Students need to have above average alphabetizing, spelling and mathematical sequencing skills. Students who have above average or excellent computer skills are encouraged to apply. See the Librarian if interested. Evaluations will be based upon a
combination of quality of work done, dependability and attitude toward work.
Office Assistant
Answering
phones
and
delivering
messages
are
a
few
of
the
duties
Office Assistants perform on a daily basis. These assistants have become invaluable to both the Main
and Attendance Offices. All office TA's are required to have an excellent attendance record. Assistants may have some free time for independent reading and study.
Teacher Assistant
Teacher Assistants need to be responsible and have a good attendance record. They may correct student assignments. Assistants may have some free time for independent reading and study.
Music classes are yearlong classes and replace Exploratory Classes.
Beginning Band (Open to all grade levels!)
No previous experience is required to join this class. This class is for students with an interest in learning a
wind or percussion instrument. Students will begin on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, trombone,
and melodic percussion with opportunities to move to Bass Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, French
Horn, Baritone, and Tuba. Emphasis is placed on fundamentals. Proper posture, note and rhythm reading,
hand technique and tone production are stressed. Students will be expected to provide their own instruments and mouthpieces (This offering will be determined by registration numbers and may be combined with the regular
band class pending auditions.)
Orchestra (Open to all grade levels!)
No previous experience is required to join this class. This class is for students with an interest in learning a
string instrument. Students will begin on violin, viola, cello and double bass. Emphasis is placed on basic
music fundamentals. Proper posture, note and rhythm reading, hand technique and tone production are
stressed. Students will be expected to provide their own instruments. Attendance at group performances is
required.
(This offering will be determined by registration numbers and may be combined with the regular orchestra class.)
Concert Band
This class is for band students with at least one year of experience on a wind or percussion instrument.
Students learn proper rehearsal techniques, scales, basic rhythms, and care and respect of their instruments
and those of others. This group averages three performances a year as well as providing support and encouragement for individual solo contests and ensemble performances. Attendance at group performances
is required. Private instruction is highly encouraged in preparation for the annual solo and ensemble contest as well as audition based participation in local and state honor groups.
Symphony Orchestra
This class is for band students with at least one year of experience on violin, viola, cello or double bass. Students
learn proper rehearsal techniques, scales, basic rhythms, and care and respect of their instruments and
those of others. This group averages three performances a year as well as providing support and encouragement for individual solo contests and ensemble performances. Attendance at group performances is required. Private instruction is highly encouraged in preparation for the annual solo and ensemble contest as
well as participation in local and state honor groups.
Choir
No previous experience is required. Students will learn proper vocal technique with a strong emphasis on
fundamentals using standard choir literature written by a wide range of composers from the classical period and beyond. The second Trimester is devoted to the Musical Theater Genre and the class auditions for,
learns, and performs a musical. There will be a one time $20.00 lab fee for all students participating in the
musical. In addition to performances of the musical, this group will have three performances a year as well
as a competition in which they will perform for judges who will offer feedback for both personal and group
improvement. Attendance at group performances is required.